WOKINGHAM people remembered the sacrifices made by those who gave their lives in wartime with a fitting Remembrance Day parade through the town.

Organised by the Wokingham Branch of the Royal British Legion, the parade left Easthampstead Road car park last Sunday afternoon bound for Market Place.

St Sebastian's Band kept the parade in time with some stirring marching music, as pub-goers and householders stepped into the streets to watch the colourful procession pass.

Members of the Wokingham Branch of the Royal British Legion, and B Company of the School of Electrical and Aeronautical Engineers at Arborfield Garrison, proudly marched along.

The Salvation Army, Red Cross, St John's Ambulance, Wokingham firefighters, the 3rd Wokingham Mayor's Own Scouts, the Scouting District Fellowship, and Wokingham Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps also put their all into the march of remembrance.

The parade proceeded along Peach Street to collect the Mayor, Cllr Tony Barber, councillors and Wokingham MP John Redwood, from the Town Hall.

The entire parade then marched to All Saints' Church in Wiltshire Road for a service of remembrance.

Wreaths were later laid at the War Memorial inside the Town Hall.

Keith Martin, the 69-year-old chairman of the Royal British Legion social club, in Shute End, said Remembrance Day was hugely significant to him and other ex-service men and women.

He said: "It means a lot to us. I always enjoy it, although it is a really sad day as well.

"It is always good to see younger people taking part in the day, but I wish more would."

Mr Martin served in Africa in an Army regiment he called "the Devons" during his National Service from 1950 to 1952.

Ian Boyle, the club's vice-chairman, served in the Navy from 1974 to 1980, patrolling the North Sea and Arctic Circle during the "Cod Wars".

He said Remembrance Sunday was a matter of respect to everyone who had ever fought for peace.

"The two minutes' silence is that moment when you spare a thought for the people who have given their lives for the country," he said.

"It's also recognition for the relatives and the ones left behind — it's what the British Legion stands for."

Members of the Wokingham branch, together with Cllr Barber and the Mayoress, Doreen Barber, had earlier observed two minutes' silence in front of the Town Hall at 11am.

Cllr Barber, who served with the Royal Fusiliers, then the Royal Artillery in Greece, India and Palestine, said: "I have a great respect for the men and women in the forces, all the forces.

"This year, the armistice fell on the 11th of the 11th, and I wonder if it's possible for that great feeling of relief that this brings, to be carried on, so that we think about peace and how best we can resolve our differences."

The mayor party and the Legion also took part in a Field of Remembrance Service on the traffic island outside the Town Hall last Saturday morning.

A march down Denmark Street to lay a wreath at the War Memorial outside the Red Cross Centre followed.

The 300-member strong Wokingham Branch of the Royal British Legion raised £26,000 for the Poppy Appeal last year - the highest collection per member in all the Legions in Berkshire.